Taxi Fares St Vincent

[Ashby]

Has anyone used a taxi from Kingstown to Villa Beach and if so how much is it. Off in 10days and still trying to decide what to do on St Vincent.

[Darcy Smith]

Hope you have had a wonderful cruise. We fly out to Barbados in 7 days. One port is St. Vincent. Have you any tips for things to do. Looking at taking the bus to the Botanical Gardens. Later going to Villa Beach.

 

Fellow Leicestershire dweller!

[kruzseeka]

And from a fairly close-by ex-Notts resident, if you have anything interesting to report on St Vincent in terms of excursions I'd love to hear about it on your return. Just land trips please - I've read excellent reports on Wayne's boat trips but am looking for something else. Any feedback either from your own experience or from other fellow cruisers which you pick up would be welcome. We're prepared to DiY or go with local firms or even ship's excursion - just need a bit more info on what's good to do. Thanks in advance - and sorry I'm no help in your quest!

 

Have a wonderful time yourself! :)

[kruzseeka]

Hello again, Darcy - I've just unearthed a post which I saw some time ago and copied for future reference as follows:

 

 

St Vincent

 

If you do not decided to sell me your holiday when you get to St. Vincent take a taxi to the Beachcombers Hotel , at Villa Beach and book in for $10 each for the day. You get use of their facilities and pool with a voucher for food and drinks, and it is right on the beach, perfect setting. Have a great time. Jim

 

(From guide book) In Kingstown; Cobblestone streets, run of shops on Sharpe St. For a dip – Villa Beach (Beachcomber hotel).

 

http://www.beachcombershotel.com/

 

It looks a lovely spot but not too big - in the absence of anything else which looks better I think we may give it a try.

 

Sorry, can't attribute the post or even tell you where the post came from but the guide book was Lonely Planet (I think! :confused: ) but as I say I just copy bits which I think might be useful and may help us to decide what to do. We go mid-March.

Not long for you now. Enjoy! :)

[Darcy Smith]

Thank you. I have looked at the Beachcomber and it does seem worth a visit. Thanks for going to the trouble of looking it up. Much appreciated. Whatever we do, we will report back in the hope that we might help someone else make the most of their trip.

[kruzseeka]

Although probably too late now for those posting here, thought I'd just report back re Villa Beach. First of all the water taxi we took from near the berth was 15US$ each return. Quite pricey but quite an experience - it was more like a thriller ride!! Very fast speed boat bouncing along the waves made for an interesting and quite exciting transfer - although one or two of us were quite relieved to reach the shore! Here we had to jump down into the sea (up to your knees) so be aware anyone who has mobility problems this probably isn't the way to do it.

 

You have to check with the people who take you there regarding return times as at least two different water taxi firms are involved - they give you a wrist band so have to go back with the one you travelled with on the outward leg and i think they operate on different schedules. Best to check before you leave to make sure the timings suit you.

 

It's a glorious spot with super views across to other small islands (one with a fab looking beach - think you can get another 2$ transfer across there.) Villa Beach is a bit basic in terms of beach furniture - there are loungers (no cushions and a bit tatty) but no umbrellas although there is some limited tree shade but of course everyone is moving around trying to get cover as the sun moves around. The beach is a little gritty but the sea was fantastic and easy to get into.

 

Villa Beach Hotel seemed to be closed but we didn't investigate as it was clear you'd be elevated above the beach if you went in there - they didn't appear to have any beach furniture on the beach and we wanted to stay by the shore.

 

In some ways this was a very typical Caribbean looking beach but I felt it suffered a little by not having better beach furniture - although I prefer unspoilt beaches and them not to be over commercialised but this was a bit limited when more people kept arriving and shade wasn't available. There are drink outlets though so most of what you need is there.